Dandelions (Paperback)

Dandelions (Paperback)

Katrina McKelvey & Kirrili Lonergan

This heart-warming picture book explores the bond between a father and his daughter. One day, a little girl notices her father mowing the lawn — in the process destroying her favourite flowers: the dandelions. She rushes out to stop him, but she’s too late, they’re all gone. There’s nothing for it: she’s just going to have to sit outside and wait until they grow back! But fortunately, Dad has another idea. Taking her hand, he leads her to the front step, and there, nestled in a crack in the concrete, are two tiny dandelion puff balls.

Father and daughter each blow as hard as they can, and the tiny dandelion parachutes spiral and spin, up, up and away, spreading their seeds to create new generations of dandelions far and wide. And together, father and daughter lie down on the grass, watching as the whirl and twirl through the air. Exquisite watercolour illustrations combine with lyrical text to create a story that’s perfect for readers aged 4–8. This is a book that will be cherished by families and recommended by teachers and librarians, exploring as it does the resilience of nature, the art of forgiveness, and the love between a parent and child.

Katrina McKelvey is an author, former primary school teacher, and mother of two. She is the president of the CBCA Newcastle sub-branch, and on the committee for the Newcastle Writers’ Festival. Dandelions is Katrina’s first picture book.

Kirrili Lonergan is a children’s book illustrator and former paediatric nurse, whose illustrations display a profound understanding of the needs of children. She can be found enjoying good times with her husband and four children in Newcastle, Australia.

SPECIFICATIONS: Paperback | 245 mm x 255 mm | Colour |

MEDIA:

Schools Out Magazine (The West Australian), 2016

"I think young girls who love nature and their dads would enjoy this book."

Children's Bookwatch, February 2016

"Beautifully illustrated with delicate, whimsical water colors, "Dandelions" is a story to share for generations."

Jigsaw, February 2016

"The illustrations are soft, pastel colours which supports the message that nature needs to be nurtured."

Kids B Cool Blog, January 2016

“Dandelions is a book that will never get old, a book your children will want to read time and time again, a book that will get your child’s imagination going, a book that will have your child learning and asking questions, a book that a parent will enjoy, a book I know you will love!”

NC Teachers Stuff, January 2016

"Dandelions is a delightful tribute not only to the magic of imagination but also the love between parent and child."

Batch of Books - A Book Blog, January 2016

"This is a sweet book about a girl and her father, connecting over something as simple as a dandelion seed."

Hip Little One, December 2015

“this sweet story is decorated with wonderful watercolour illustrations that are a perfect fit for this magical theme. Young readers will love following the fluffy little parachutes as they travel across the pages and next time you spot a puff ball in your garden you can start a trip of your very own.”

The Independent UK, December 2015

Voted in the Top 10 in The Independent’s Best Picture Books for Children 2015

“Written by Katrina McKelvey and illustrated in watercolours by Kirrili Lonergan, this book also celebrates everyday life…”

Mummahh Blog, November 2015

“Dandelions is a gorgeous picture book which will inspire the imagination.”

Buzzwords, November 2015

“This is an uplifting story that takes us into the wondrous essence of Mother Nature, on the breath of hundreds of fluffy floating seeds.”

The Bottom Shelf, November 2015

“This is a most calming, peaceful story about enjoying being in the moment and taking time out to just be, imagine and wonder…Celebrating a most ordinary moment in daily life, it encourages the adult reader to take time to notice the small things that are big things to the children in our lives and rejoice in them. The beautiful, gentle water colours give the book so much of its charm and tranquility, giving life to the lyrical text through its beautiful design.”

Educating Young Children, November 2015

“What a delightful book. I must admit I had tears in my eyes as I finished this story…This seems to be Katrina McKelvey’s first picture book but she has nailed it!...The exquisite watercolour illustrations of father and daughter and dandelion puff balls in flight fill your imagination.”

Mum's Delivery, November 2015

The AFA Advocate, October 2015

“a beautiful hardback book for littlies.“

Boomerang Books, October 2015

“Understated and as delicate as a dandelion in full flight, Dandelions is sure to fill the soft pastel and fairy predilections of many a young miss and make you want to seek out a puffball to set in a flight of fantasy of your own“

Mummy Project, October 2015

“a timely reminder of the importance of slowing down and spending time bonding with your children…features gorgeous watercolour scenes…It’s a delight to go through… and follow where the seeds have flown to”

Get Parenting, October 2015

“A celebration of the bond between a father and his daughter, Dandelions is also a joyful, floating flight into the simple pleasure of letting your imagination take you on a journey”

Get The Arts, October 2015.

“A celebration of the bond between a father and his daughter, Dandelions is also a joyful, floating flight into the simple pleasure of letting your imagination take you on a journey”

Get Regional, October 2015

“A celebration of the bond between a father and his daughter, Dandelions is also a joyful, floating flight into the simple pleasure of letting your imagination take you on a journey”

Trevor Cairney BlogSpot, October 2015

“a sweet tale with a ‘softness’ of text and illustrations that are well matched”

Kids Book Review, October 2015

“The eye-catching watercolours in soft shades extend to full-page illustrations throughout Dandelions. Filled with light and joyful scenes, the entire book reflects a sense of serenity, freedom and love.”

School Days, October 2015

“The father - daughter bond is celebrated in this lovely book”

The Daily Telegraph, October 2015

“a must-read bedtime book for a father and daughter”

Creative Kids Tales, September 2015

"A wonderful story of forgiveness and understanding and that things must change in order to grow."

Kirkus Reviews US, September 2015

"A small girl is horrified to find her dad has mowed all the dandelions, which are her favorite flower. Responding to her distress, Dad finds a patch near the house that escaped, and father and daughter blow the bits of fluff out in the world to parachute away. She imagines the dandelion seeds as they float past her yard's roses, the poppies lining the street, and the sunflowers in the park. The pictures have a lyrical, summery quality, with Dad in his bare feet, the young narrator with floral dress, tumbled curls, and stripy leggings ... But the weed common over much of the world is cherished by this child and no doubt many readers, from its golden head to its puffball state, and the illustrations convey that prettily, along with the easy grace between father and daughter. A sweet father-daughter duet. (Picture book. 4-8) "

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06/06/2017

Congratulations to Tania McCartney and Jess Racklyeft! Tania and Jess' Smile Cry has won SCBWI's Crystal Kite Award in ANZ!! The annual Crystal Kite Award is a peer-given award to recognise great books from 15 SCBWI regional divisions around the world.

If you want to see other recipients of the award from around the globe, visit the winners page right here!